Loafin’ it at the Lazy Z

Our cabin was just like a small vacation home – not the five-star variety, mind you, but a cabin like many people can actually afford. The cabin was nicely furnished with a couch, love seat, oversized chair, all adjacent to a large stone fireplace. Also in the Great Room were a dining table and a bar. The cabin also had a kitchen, refrigerator and enough counter space for light meal preparation. There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but the part we loved the most was the giant, expansive deck where you could sit among the trees and really feel like you’re in the woods.

But just in case you weren’t sure, you can also hike the property’s nature trails which are every bit as interesting as most trails you find in the wilderness. Wildlife is abundant and we came across several deer as well as squirrels and other creatures. The Lazy Z property is so big that you can hike for half an hour and not revisit anyplace you’ve already been. This is perfect for large families where you want to take the small kids out to enjoy Mother Nature, but don’t want to get too far from your base of operations.

The property was originally built as the Lazy Z Guest Ranch in 1946 and was owned by the current owners’ grandparents, Harold and Mildred Zelinsky. Back then there were 100 acres altogether, including stables with horseback riding. After the grandparents retired in the early 70’s and sold the property, the resort fell into disrepair and, for a time, was used as a boys’ home. That’s when the Zelinskys’ son, Ken, stepped in to buy the property back and sent his oldest son Steve to begin re-building this resort that had meant so much to the grandchildren while they were growing up. Today, the Lazy Z is run by Steve and his sister and brother, Lari and Matt.

The Lazy Z still retains some of that guest ranch heritage and Steve will often host barbecues down at Zeke’s Cantina, an Old West style barn where large groups can get together and enjoy tasty beef and pork hot off the grill and party in a place reminiscent of a western saloon.